Apparatus for separating interconnected cushions, and assembly of such an apparatus and an apparatus for manufacturing interconnected cushions

Abstract

A separating apparatus is described for separating interconnected cushions by breaking weakening lines provided between these cushions. To this end, the apparatus includes at least one circulating element and a conveyor for carrying the interconnected cushions along the circulating element. The circulating element is arranged for engaging the interconnected cushions at least once during a circulating movement of the circulating element, in order to carry one of these cushions along over a part of the circulating movement at a carrying speed which is higher than a conveying speed of the conveyor. An apparatus is described for manufacturing cushions by filling chambers formed in film material with a gas and then sealing them.

1. A separating apparatus for separating interconnected cushions, by breaking weakening lines provided between the interconnected cushions, wherein the separating apparatus comprises:
 at least one circulating element; and 
 a conveyor for carrying the interconnected cushions along the circulating element, and 
 wherein the circulating element is arranged for engaging the interconnected cushions at least once during a circulating movement, thereby carrying the engaged cushion along over a part of the circulating movement at a carrying speed which is higher than a conveying speed of the conveyor, 
 wherein a carrying direction of the circulating element substantially corresponds with a conveying direction of the conveyor, 
 wherein the circulating element comprises an endless belt guided around one or more rollers, the circulating element comprising at least one carrying cam, the carrying cam extending away from a belt surface, of the endless belt, facing said rollers, and the carrying cam being integrally formed with the endless belt to temporarily engage a cushion to be separated during a circulating movement of the endless belt, and 
 wherein integrally forming the carrying cam with the endless belt is provided by at least one of the set of physical endless belt configurations consisting of:
 a local thickening of a belt material of the endless belt, and 
 a separate cam element that is fixedly connected with the endless belt. 
 
 
     
     
       2. A separating apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises two circulating elements, driven in opposite directions, between which the interconnected cushions can be carried along. 
     
     
       3. A separating apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the conveyor comprises at least one endless belt, arranged for carrying along a longitudinal edge of the interconnected cushions. 
     
     
       4. A separating apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the conveyor and the at least one circulating element are driven by common drive means. 
     
     
       5. A separating apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the circulating element is arranged for engaging a longitudinal edge of the interconnected cushions. 
     
     
       6. A separating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the endless belt is arranged lengthwise inside the path of travel of the conveyor. 
     
     
       7. A separating apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one circulating element comprises first and second instances of the circulating element, and wherein each circulating element comprises a circulating belt provided with a carrying cam, and wherein during use the carrying cam for the first and second circulating elements come into engagement with the cushion to be separated. 
     
     
       8. An assembly of a separating apparatus comprising:
 a separating apparatus for separating interconnected cushions, by breaking weakening lines provided between the interconnected cushions, wherein the separating apparatus comprises:
 at least one circulating element; and 
 a conveyor for carrying the interconnected cushions along the circulating element, and 
 wherein the circulating element is arranged for engaging the interconnected cushions at least once during a circulating movement, thereby carrying the engaged cushion along over a part of the circulating movement at a carrying speed which is higher than a conveying speed of the conveyor, 
 wherein a carrying direction of the circulating element substantially corresponds with a conveying direction of the conveyor, 
 wherein the circulating element comprises an endless belt guided around one or more rollers, the circulating element comprising at least one carrying cam, the carrying cam extending away from a belt surface, of the endless belt, facing said rollers, and the carrying cam being integrally formed with the endless belt to temporarily engage a cushion to be separated during a circulating movement of the endless belt, and 
 wherein integrally forming the carrying cam with the endless belt is provided by at least one of the set of physical endless belt configurations consisting of:
 a local thickening of a belt material of the endless belt, and 
 a separate cam element that is fixedly connected with the endless belt; and 
 
 
 an apparatus for inflating and sealing chambers formed in film material, wherein a main feed-through direction along these apparatuses bends where the chambers are inflated or at a short distance thereof. 
 
     
     
       9. An assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein a feed-through direction of the separating apparatus includes an angle (α) with a feed-through direction of the apparatus for inflating and sealing the chambers, wherein this angle α is between 25° and about 45°. 
     
     
       10. An assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein a feed-through direction of the separating apparatus operatively extends approximately vertically. 
     
     
       11. An assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the separating apparatus is designed as an autonomous module. 
     
     
       12. An assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the conveyor of the separating apparatus and a conveyor of the apparatus for inflating and sealing the chambers use common drive means. 
     
     
       13. An assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the separating apparatus and the apparatus for inflating and sealing the chambers comprise a common conveyor. 
     
     
       14. An assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein the angle (α) is about 30°.